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Favorite Sources for Prayer and Spiritual

Growth for Parish Social Ministers and Ministry

The 2013 Spirituality Project Team of the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social MinistryProfessional Interest Section provides this aid for the personal prayer life of its members AND

the presence of prayer in the events of parish social ministry groups.

Comments on this arrangement and listing my be directed to Steve Herro; Manager of Mission

and Ministry, Catholic Charities, USA;sherro@catholiccharitiesusa.org; 571-814-4923.

Descriptions and Characteristics of Popular Personal Prayer Forms

and Spirituality Types

(descriptions from Downey, Michael. The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality.Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1993).

Augustinian Spiritualityderived from Augustines absorption of the Catholic faith into the

living out of daily life; conversion to Christ through the caritas that unifies all human energy and

includes finding a home in God through a joyful and intimate relationship with Father, Son, andSpirit. To delve deeper into Augustinian spirituality, consult primary sources such as his City of

Godand The Confessions of St. Augustine and secondary sourcesAugustine of Hippo: Selected

Writings (edited by Mary T. Clark) and Augustine, Augustine Spirituality, & Tradition

(http://www.augustinians.org.au/tradition/spirit.html).

Benedictine Spiritualitybased on the rule of St. Benedict, a classic expression of monasticChristianity, yet applicable in its wisdom for countless Christians throughout the ages. Containsan image of a high, exalted, and austere God whose presence can be found in persons, places,

and situations. Persons strenuously labor to seek God. To delve deeper into Benedictine

spirituality, consult primary sources such theRegula Benedicta and secondary sourcesPraying

with Benedict(Katherine Howard) and The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st

Century(Joan Chittister), and Monastic Life: Prayer and Work

(http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/monastic-life/abbey-spirituality1/).

Centering Prayera method to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer. Individual

chooses a single sacred word to open and yield to Gods presence and action within oneself. For

more information about centering prayer, consult Contemplative Outreach(http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/), a website based on the work of Trappist Fr. ThomasKeating, a 20

thcentury leader in the Centering Prayer movement.

Dominican Spiritualitya mix of common life, choral office, study and contemplation, penance,and the apostolate of preaching, the two sides of Dominican life are the expressions of a single

lovelove of God and neighbor, the one flowing from the other and vice versa. Though founder

St. Dominic Guzman left few spiritual writings, other early Dominicans such as Albert the Great,

mailto:sherro@catholiccharitiesusa.orgmailto:sherro@catholiccharitiesusa.orgmailto:sherro@catholiccharitiesusa.orghttp://www.augustinians.org.au/tradition/spirit.htmlhttp://www.augustinians.org.au/tradition/spirit.htmlhttp://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/monastic-life/abbey-spirituality1/http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/monastic-life/abbey-spirituality1/http://www.augustinians.org.au/tradition/spirit.htmlmailto:sherro@catholiccharitiesusa.org

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Thomas Aquinas, and Catherine of Sienna did. See Catherine of Sienas The Dialogue. A vivid

portrait of Dominic engaged in prayer can be found in The Nine Ways of Prayer of our Holy

Father Dominic. Helpful secondary sources to Dominican spirituality includeEarly

Dominicans: Selected Writings (Simon Tugwell),Praying with Catherine of Siena (Patricia

Mary Vinje), andPraying with Dominic (Michael Monshau).

Examination of Conscienceprayerful reflection on ones relationship with God and others, as ahuman being created in love for love, but in need of the support and encouragement of Gods

love along the way. The Daily Examen is a component of Ignatian spirituality; for more

information, see The Daily Examen (http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/).

Franciscan Spiritualitya description of an approach to God and life in the world characterized

by the values and behaviors demonstrated by Francis and Clare of Assisi. Francis identifies thefirst moment of his spiritual life with an encounter with a leper; the tradition of Franciscan

spirituality finds its foundation in the poor and crucified Christ. Primary sources in Franciscan

spirituality include St. Francis TestamentandEarlier Rule (which was later revised with theFinal Rule). See alsoFrancis and Clare: The Complete Works (Regis Armstrong, Ignatius

Brady). Helpful secondary sources includePraying with Francis of Assisi (Joseph

Stoutzenberger, John Bohrer)

Ignatian SpiritualityIgnatian spirituality, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of

Loyola, is first and foremost Trinitarian. Ignatius experienced the Father as Father, the Son as

Son, and the Spirit as the Holy Spirit. It is meant to be versatile in helping one to seek and findGods will; prayer and religious experience do not exist for their own sake but as a means to

seek, find, and accomplish Gods will. TheSpiritual Exercisesare also explained at

http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/. Ignatian Spirituality

is a rich source for all things Ignatian; seehttp://www.ignatianspirituality.com/. Several otherhelpful sources includeIgnatius of Loyola: The Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works (George

Ganss) andPraying with Ignatius of Loyola (Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and Marie Schwan)

Lectio divinaholy reading of Scriptures or writings of early Church Fathers or other spiritual

writers requiring prayerful reflection on the text leading to communion with God in prayer. For

help usinglectio divina, see http://lectio-divina.org/

http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/http://lectio-divina.org/http://lectio-divina.org/http://lectio-divina.org/http://lectio-divina.org/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/

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Resources for Personal Prayer

Catholic Prayer Life

Administered by Colleen Spiro, the Web site includes daily and weekly reflections, a blog,

background material on saints, examples of Catholic prayer forms, etc.

Daily Reflections

A free Web based service of the Campus Ministry Office, Creighton University, it offers links to

daily Mass readings with a reflection by a member of the Creighton community.

Give Us This Day: Daily Prayer for Todays Catholics.

Monthly periodical that features daily abbreviated morning and evening prayer, readings and

Mass collects, biographical entries, and Mass reflections.

Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits.Harter, Michael. St. Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1993. Prayers by Jesuits arranged to

accompany Ignatius Spiritual Exercises or simply focus on events of daily life.

Henri Nouwen Society

Administrators of the site are dedicated toward the promotion of the spirituality of Henri

Nouwen; they offer daily and weekly reflections, a daily meditation blog, and online discussion

group.

Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative

Web based tool provides texts of Sunday readings and a reflection in Spanish and English.

Liturgy of the Hourshistorically based on the biblical prayer of the Jewish synagogue, liturgyof the hours helps insure that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the

praise of God (Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy, #84). The Liturgy of the Hours consists of a

pattern of scriptural and scripturally inspired prayer that includes the following: hymn, psalmsand scriptural canticles with accompanying antiphons, scripture proclamation and response,

Canticle of Zachary (morning) or Mary (evening), intercessions, Lords Prayer, collect, final

blessing. Perhaps the most common way to pray the Liturgy of the Hours is with theLiturgy of

the Hours According to the Roman Rite (published by Catholic Book Publishing Company, NewYork). The Liturgy of the Hours is also available online every day atuniversalis.com

(http://universalis.com/).

Sacred Space

A free, daily online prayer source based on the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola;

administered by the Irish Jesuits.

http://www.catholic-prayer-life.com/http://www.catholic-prayer-life.com/http://ccserver2/data/PROGRAMS/Parish%20Social%20Ministry/PSM%20Section/Leadership%20Team/2013%20PSM%20Section%20Leadership%20Team/2013%20Spirituality%20Project%20Team/onlineministries.creighton.edu/collaborativeministry/daily.htmlhttp://ccserver2/data/PROGRAMS/Parish%20Social%20Ministry/PSM%20Section/Leadership%20Team/2013%20PSM%20Section%20Leadership%20Team/2013%20Spirituality%20Project%20Team/onlineministries.creighton.edu/collaborativeministry/daily.htmlhttp://www.henrinouwen.org/Contact_Us/Subscribe/Subscribe.aspxhttp://www.henrinouwen.org/Contact_Us/Subscribe/Subscribe.aspxhttp://jrji.org/resources.htmlhttp://jrji.org/resources.htmlhttp://universalis.com/http://universalis.com/http://universalis.com/http://www.sacredspace.ie/http://www.sacredspace.ie/http://www.sacredspace.ie/http://universalis.com/http://jrji.org/resources.htmlhttp://www.henrinouwen.org/Contact_Us/Subscribe/Subscribe.aspxhttp://ccserver2/data/PROGRAMS/Parish%20Social%20Ministry/PSM%20Section/Leadership%20Team/2013%20PSM%20Section%20Leadership%20Team/2013%20Spirituality%20Project%20Team/onlineministries.creighton.edu/collaborativeministry/daily.htmlhttp://www.catholic-prayer-life.com/

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Resources for Meeting Prayers

All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time.

Ellsberg, Robert. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1998. Biographical entries

with quotations by holy figures, arranged by feast, birth, or death date.

Center for Concerns Education for Justice.

A comprehensive Web site with backgrounders, prayers and prayer services, and other

reflections related to spirituality and social justice. Some of the materials on the site are free;

other sections are for yearly subscribers.

Living Gods Justice: Reflections and Prayers

Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors. Cincinnati: St. Anthony

Messenger Press, 2006. Provides a collection of prayers categorized by theme of Catholic Social

Teaching.

The Notre Dame Book of Prayer

Office of Campus Ministry. South Bend: Ave Maria Press, 2010.

Prayer for Parish Groups: Preparing and Leading Prayer for Group Meetings

Harrington, Donal and Kavanagh, Julie. Winona: St. Marys Press, Christian Bros.

Publications, 1998. This is a book of prayer resources for parish groups. It is not a book for

prayer groups, but for every parish group. from the books preface.

Prayer Without Borders: Celebrating Global Wisdom

Ballenger, Barbara. Baltimore: Catholic Relief Services, 2004. Dozens of prayers, reflections,

and stories derived from countries served by Catholic Relief Services.

Prayers for the New Social Awakening: Inspired by the New Social Creed

Iosso, Christian and Hinson-Hasty, Elizabeth L. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press,

2008.

Prayers for a Privileged People

Bruggeman, Walter. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2008.

Prayers for a Thousand Years: Blessings and Expressions of Hope for the New Millenium

Roberts, Elizabeth J. and Amidon, Elias. Hundreds of wishes, blessings, stories, and challengesfrom a diverse group of distinguished international spiritual teachers, poets, activists, political

leaders, youth, artists and visionaries, composed around themes of peace and understanding.

http://educationforjustice.org/http://educationforjustice.org/http://educationforjustice.org/

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Resources for Prayer Services

Center for Concerns Education for Justice

Provides prayer services, single prayers, and other curricular aids. Some materials in no charge;

other items are for subscribers only.

Notable Quotations from Catholic Social Teaching

The compilation is maintained by Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis; quotes can be

used as part of a prayer service.

Prayer for Each Day

Provided by the Taize Community, it offers a template for a daily prayer service (psalm, reading,

song, etc.). Click on Prayer for Each Day to get the days template.

Our Prayers Rise Like Incense: Liturgies for Peace.

Preseton-Pile, Cindy. Erie: Pax Christi USA, 1998. Sample prayer service for occasions and

events throughout the year; written from a social justice perspective

September 28, 2013

http://educationforjustice.org/http://educationforjustice.org/http://www.osjspm.org/CatholicSocialTeachingNotableQuoteshttp://www.osjspm.org/CatholicSocialTeachingNotableQuoteshttp://www.taize.fr/en_rubrique12.htmlhttp://www.taize.fr/en_rubrique12.htmlhttp://www.taize.fr/en_rubrique12.htmlhttp://www.osjspm.org/CatholicSocialTeachingNotableQuoteshttp://educationforjustice.org/